What God Has Been Teaching Me Lately LXX (70)…
Greetings My Friends~
As a simple pilgrim
following the Lord Jesus
through the rainforests and deserts of this earthly life,
I would like to humbly share
some of what God has been bubbling up in my mind/heart lately
through the Bible.
I pray that these thoughts are
cushions in your shoes,
balm to your burns,
umbrellas for the rain,
and shade to the scorching heat
as you too follow the Lord Jesus each day.
(please click on the Bible books/chapters/verses below
to read the actual Scripture passages)
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Suffering
A. When we suffer deeply
may the LORD help us trust
that our suffering
“is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it”–John 11:4.
B. Heavenly Father, help us in our grief
to have the same unshakable trust in Christ Jesus
that Martha had in her grief (John 11:22):
“I know, even now…”
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Responding To Christ
Like Mary (John 11:28-29), may the Lord Jesus bless us
to hear when He’s calling each of us personally
& also to “get up quickly & go to Him.”
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Beliefs Matter
By not believing in hell
we aren’t making God more awesome
we’re making us less awful.
Belief in hell shows that we humans
don’t need polish (behavior modification)
but that we need propitiation (atonement for our sins)…
(please click HERE for definition of propitiation)
1 John 4:10: “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us
and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
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Which Jesus?
A. Thru you and the local church, do people meet
jesus the safe mascot of cultural Christianity
or the Lord Jesus Christ the Sovereign Master & King of all?
B. “People were divided over Jesus”–John 7:43–
regarding His identity & mission.
Same today: Kind man or God-King.
Ethical suggestor or Eternal Savior.
Myth or Master
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The LORD’s Banquet Table Is Not Round
The world likes a round table–
- all equal,
- no distinctions,
- general/vague sentiments,
- no head/authority,
- all edges smooth & lacquered to upset no one.
Christ’s Banquet Table–
where all are invited by grace alone
through repentance & faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ alone–
is a rectangle:
- specific Truth
- sharp & defined edges
- made out of the rough wood of the Cross
- King Jesus alone as the Head/Judge/Ruler
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Downstream Or Upstream?
A. Don’t go with the flow of culturally acceptable beliefs/actions;
get free in Christ’s tree [cross]!
Rest in The Branch by faith alone in God’s Son!
B. We no longer go with the flow of the outside culture–beliefs & actions–
but have the Holy Spirit’s Living Water–Truth/holiness–flow in us…
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Real Love
Biblical compassion: an empathy that doesnt lead to enablement;
recognizing others’ attraction to sin
without approving & encouraging the sin’s continued practice.
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The Cross–Nothing More, Nothing Less
LORD, please transform Your people
so we neither turn the old rugged cross into a nerf symbol (safe)
nor coat it in hard lacquer & spikes (adding to it).
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True Obedience
A. We dont do good deeds to show the LORD
that we are good boys/girls–“look at us!”–
but to show what a great God He is
to rebirth & transform us as His kids–“look at Him!”
B. Though we must “cease striving [be still] & know that He is God”–Psalm 46:10–
we dont stay in the safe harbor
but follow Him to the stormy sea.
Sailboats go farther & faster than rowboats…
C. God’s spiritual rest for His people thru
new birth/faith/repentance in Jesus Christ
means we do less in our power &
MORE in His power–1 Chronicles 22:17-19.
D. Two main reasons to be sacrificially devoted to the LORD
(and not just a superficial spectator):
God’s presence with us & presents to us…
1 Chronicles 22:17-19 & 2 Peter 1:3
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No One Is An Island
Oh the utter importance of God giving us
wise Christian mentors &
the wisdom to know if their advice is wise!
2 Kings 12:2; 1 Chronicles 19:2-4; 2 Chronicles 10
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Shepherds Protect
Guarding the gates of God’s tent of meeting
was a “position of trust”–1 Chronicles 9:22.
Same for pastors/elders–we are trusted to humbly keep out false teaching.
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“What Works” Isn’t Necessarily What’s Right
Before and during King Saul’s reign,
God’s people continued to do what they thought was best–
pragmatism isnt modern.
Judges 21:25; 1 Chronicles 13:3
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Where Are You Building/Stacking/Leaning Your Hope?
Don’t set hope on that car/house/job/relationship.
“Set your hope on the grace to be brought to you
when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming” 1 Peter 1:13.
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Putting the LORD In His Place & us in our place
As we daily consider
the undeserved riches
of our inheritance in Christ,
may our response be like David’s in 1 Chronicles 17:16-17—
“Who am I, LORD?”
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Pastors Especially!
After praising the LORD & serving people & delegating ministry,
“David returned home to bless his family“–1 Chronicles 16:43.
So important for all Christians, especially pastors!
